Sheridan Smith Diving 5’ 7’’ R-Fr. Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. / Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Virginia Tiberti Diving 5’ 5’’ So. Rome, Italy / M.R Sport Fratelli Marconi
Anna Wetteland Free/Fly 5’ 9’’ So. Los Alamos, N.M. / Los Alamos High School
Abi Winnicki Free/Back 6’ 0’’ So. Rhinelander, Wisc. / Rhinelander High School
Claudia Yovanovich Free/Back 5’ 7’’ So. Seattle, Wash. / Ballard High School
Head Coach: Jordan Cordry (7th season)
Head Diving Coach: Tom Stebbins (28th season)
Assistant Coach: Graham Carpenter (1st season)
WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING QUALIFYING STANDARDS
Women’s
TEAM STAFF
Head Swimming & Diving Coach
Jordan Cordry (7th Year, St. Cloud State ‘09)
Head Diving Coach
Tom Stebbins (28th Year at UCLA, 30th overall, Yale ‘96)
Assistant Coach
Graham Carpenter (Ohio State ‘21)
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Beril Bocekler BER-ill BO-sek-lur
Gizem Guvenc gee-ZEM goo-VENCH
Ava Lachey EY-vuh luh-SHAY
Katy Pacher PAY-sure
Alexis Schaffer SHAY-fur
Fiona Schere like “sheer”
Ashley Stenstrom STEN-strum
Maya Shtolzberg SHTULTZ-burg
JORDAN CORDRY
Head Swimming Coach 7th Season
St. Cloud State ‘09
Jordan Cordry (formerly Wolfrum) enters her seventh season as head coach at UCLA in 2025-26. Cordry, who was most recently an associate head coach at Ohio State, was named the seventh head coach in program history on Jun. 27, 2019.
In sox previous seasons at UCLA, she has accrued a 26-21 dual meet record and five consecutive top-four finishes at the Pac-12 Championships.Cordry succeeded Cyndi Gallagher, who retired after the 2018-19 season following a 31-year tenure as head coach.
During the 2024-25 campaign, the Bruins entered their first year as members of the Big Ten Conference. UCLA had six individual student-athletes qualify for the NCAA Championships, along with four relay squads. At the NCAA Championships, Eden Cheng earned NCAA All-American Honorable Mention status for the third consecutive year on platform, highlighting the Bruins’ performance at the national meet. Under her tutelage, Karolina Piechowicz and Claudia Yovanovich were both named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team, where the Bruins placed seventh as a squad in their inaugural Big Ten Championships appearance. UCLA also set three new school records in 2024-25, as Karolina Piechowicz set a school record in the 100 breast, while three relays had their school records broken (200 free, 200 medley, 400 medley).
The 2023-24 campaign was the best season yet under Cordry. UCLA finished fourth at the conference meet for the third consecutive season, propelling UCLA to its first top-25 NCAA Championships finish under Cordry, where the Bruins took 22nd overall. Under her watch seven Bruins earned spots at the NCAA Championships, where Paige MacEachern earned First Team All-American honors for finishing eighth in the 400 IM. Four Bruins also earned honorable mention All-American honors in 2023-24, with Rosie Murphy (400 IM), Eden Cheng (Platform), Lauren Hallaselka (3M springboard), and Savana Trueb (3M Springboard) all earning honorable mention status. The Bruins also finished fourth as a team at the Pac-12 Championships, breaking the 1,000 point barrier for the second-consecutive season, and four Bruins set school records at the meet with Eden Cheng (Platform dive), Paige MacEachern (400 IM), and Rosie Murphy (200 back, 200 IM) all setting new school records.
2022-23 was another great season for the Bruins under Cordry. The Bruins won six consecutive dual meets to open the season, had their most individual NCAA qualifiers (seven) since 2016, and had their most All-Americans (five) since 2017. In addition, Eden Cheng earned Pac-12 Freshman Diver of the Year honors. The season also saw school records fall in the 100 breast (Claire Grover), 400 IM (Paige MacEachern), 400 free relay, 200 medley relay, and platform diving (Cheng). UCLA had another standout showing at the Pac-12 Championships, placing fourth and breaking the 1,000-point barrier for the first time since 2017 (exempting 2020, in which the league meet didn’t have full participation due to COVID-19 measures).
The 2021-22 campaign was another solid one for UCLA, as the Bruins finished fourth at Pac-12s and sent a group of four student-athletes to the NCAA Championships. At NCAAs, Claire Grover placed 13th in the 50 free to earn All-America honors and become the first Bruin swimmer to score at the national meet since 2017-18. UCLA had 45 finalists at Pac-12s – including 11 A Finalists – highlighted by third-place results for Claire Grover in the 100 free and Hannah Butler in 1-meter diving. The Bruins also set school records in both the 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay over the course of the year, and finished first at the five-team UNLV Invitational from Dec. 17-19.
Despite a shortened training and competition schedule due to COVID-19, the Bruins continued to make strides under Cordry in 2020-21. UCLA posted a 2-1 record in dual meets during the regular season, with the squad’s only loss coming to eventual Pac-12 champion California. The Bruins capped off the regular season with a highlight-reel win over USC, clinching a 151-148 decision on the final relay of the two-day meet. It was UCLA’s first dual win over USC since 2007. The Bruins went on to finish third at Pac-12s, the program’s highest finish at the league meet since 2006. Highlights at Pac-12s included 14 “A” Finalists, two relay podiums, and a school record in the 100 fly from Sam Baron (51.65). UCLA sent a contingent of nine student-athletes to the 2021 NCAA Championships, including six individual qualifiers.
Her first year in Westwood was an inarguable success. The Bruins posted a 7-3 record in dual meets, opening the campaign with seven consecutive wins. UCLA would go on to finish fourth at Pac-12s, the program’s best finish since 2014, while producing five CSCAA All-Americans. The Bruins’ 400 medley relay team set a new school record (3:33.81) at Pac-12s, and five Bruins (three swimmers, two divers) would secure NCAA Championships qualification. UCLA also took care of business in the classroom, placing a dozen student-athletes on the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll.
Cordry was initially hired as an assistant coach at Ohio State in 2014 before being promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2016-17 campaign. She previously made coaching stops as a volunteer assistant coach at Stanford and as an assistant coach, associate head coach, and interim head coach at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn.
During her five-season run in Columbus, the Ohio State women compiled an impressive 48-9 record in dual meets and finished top-25 at the NCAA Championships on four occasions. The Buckeyes finished with just one dual meet loss in three of her five seasons (2014-15, 2016-17, 2017-18), and finished third at the B1G Championships in each of the past two years.
Cordry also helped the OSU men – who began competition prior to 2017-18 – to a 12-4 record over two seasons and a ninth-place finish at this year’s NCAAs.
She had a hand in practically every facet of the Ohio State swim program, serving as the recruiting coordinator while taking the lead on compliance, team culture, academics, and budgeting. She also implemented a student-athlete development program centered on leadership and career growth.
Tom Stebbins enters his 27th season as the head coach of the UCLA women’s diving team in 2024-25, a program that has had much success since his tenure in Westwood began. Stebbins was recently named the Pac-12 Diving Coach of the Year at the conclusion of three consecutive seasons (2017-19), making him just the second person ever to three-peat as the league’s top diving coach.
Most recently, Stebbins has helped Eden Cheng, Lauren Hallaselka, and Savana Trueb to honorable mention All-American honors during the 2023-24 season. Cheng earned the honors in the platform competition, while Trueb and Hallaselka both were named honorable mention All-Americans in the 3m springboard competition.
Hannah Butler double-qualify for NCAAs in each of the past three seasons while Eden Cheng earned 2023 Pac-12 Freshman Diver of the Year honors in 2022-23. Despite losing the program’s top two divers, UCLA diving was once again a force nationally in 2019-20. Junior Ruby Neave emerged as one of the top divers on the west coast, winning the 1-meter title at Pac-12s and finishing runner-up at the NCAA Zone E Championships. She was one of four Bruins who ultimately qualified for Zones, joining junior Alice Yanovsky and true freshmen Hannah Butler and Katie Shaheen. Stebbins earned CSCAA Diving Coach of the Year honors in 2018-19, making him the second Pac-12 coach ever to take home that award. UCLA divers combined to score 75 points at the NCAA Championships, the most of any school nationwide and a new program benchmark. Under his tutelage, Maria Polyakova was named the CSCAA and Pac-12 Diver of the Year while Eloise Belanger scored more points (38) than any other diver at NCAAs.
In 2017-18, Stebbins guided Eloise Belanger to UCLA’s second straight Pac-12 Diver of the Year Award. Belanger won the 1-meter and 3-meter events at the Pac12 Championships, then finished second in three events at the 2018 NCAA Zone E Championships.
The year prior, he helped Maria Polyakova to the first conference Diver of the Year honor of his tenure. Before coming to UCLA, Stebbins served as head diving coach at Fordham University, where he coached two-time senior national qualifier Paul Delo, who won two Atlantic 10 titles each on the 1M and 3M. Stebbins also helped coach Delo to an undefeated record in the 1996-97 season.
Coach Stebbins’ Background
Stebbins was a four-year letterwinner at Yale University, a three-time NCAA Zone qualifier and a four-time All-Ivy League selection. While diving at Yale, he helped lead his team to the 1993 Ivy League co-title. In 1996, he won the Heaton High Point Award and was named the recipient of the Phil Moriarty MVP Prize. Stebbins graduated from Yale in 1996 with a degree in psychology. A native of Connecticut, he now resides in Playa del Rey with his wife Erika, daughter Reilly and son Owen.
The Stebbins Philosophy
“Luck sits squarely at the intersection of hard work and opportunity.”
Coach Stebbins believes that each person is in total control of creating her own luck. The UCLA Diving program stresses the need for the individual to be accountable to herself, her teammates, her sport, and her studies. With all of the wonderful opportunities presented to student athletes at UCLA, it is important that each person know that she is responsible for the decisions and directions that she chooses. This is the beginning of a lifelong process in which the student-athlete learns how to maximize herself academically, athletically, and socially. While the coaching staff hopes to steer this direction, it is the student-athlete herself that will determine how quickly she will achieve her goals.
Coach Stebbins believes, “We are all very fortunate to be part of the greatest athletic program in the country. How we choose to give back to that tradition should go well beyond the few moments each individual will spend competing in the Bruin Blue. Becoming a Bruin is just the beginning of a lifelong commitment to creating excellence
in every facet of your life. As coaches, we are all here to enhance the early stages of that process, through our passion, dedication, and enthusiasm for the people whose lives we have the opportunity to touch.”
Recent Years
2018-19 was arguably the best season in Bruin diving history, leading to CSCAA Diving Coach of the Year honors for Stebbins. UCLA divers combined to score 75 points at NCAAs, a figure which led all schools and established a new program benchmark. The Bruins produced the 3M champion in Maria Polyakova, as well as the highest-scoring diver of the meet in Eloise Belanger, who had 38 points across three events. Polyakova was the second-highest scoring diver at the meet with 37 points over two events. After the season, Polyakova was tabbed Pac-12 Diver of the Year while Stebbins garnered Pac-12 Diving Coach of the Year. Stebbins is the second person ever to three-peat as the Pac-12’s top diving coach. UCLA had four divers qualify for Zones, and came agonizingly close to sending a trio of divers to NCAAs as Traci Shiver finished less than a point short of qualifying on tower. UCLA dominated the diving portion of its meets all season, as a Bruin won 21 of 33 diving events the squad entered.
Despite a hefty amount of turnover that included four graduated seniors, 2019-20 was another standout year for UCLA diving. Ruby Neave, who didn’t compete her first two years at UCLA due to injury, broke through as one of the top divers in the country, winning the 1M diving title at Pac-12s and finishing runner-up in the same event at Zones. She was the third consecutive Bruin to win the 1M crown at Pac-12s. Neave would eventually earn double NCAA qualification after placing sixth in 3M at Zones. The season was also marked by the emergence of true freshman Hannah Butler, who improved markedly over the course of the season en route to Zones qualification. Butler went on to earn All-America honors after qualifying for NCAAs in 1-meter, and narrowly missed out on joining Neave in the double-qualifier club after placing 12th in 3M at Zones. Junior Alice Yanovsky gave the Bruins four Zones participants.
With a training schedule and roster heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, UCLA still was able to make noise during the 2020-21 season. Two of three divers on the UCLA roster for the season ended up double-qualifying for the NCAA Championships thanks in part to top-five finishes at Zones; Hannah Butler placed fourth in 1M while Katie Shaheen placed fifth in platform (both also qualified for NCAAs in 3M). Butler picked up a pair of first-place finishes over the truncated season (UCLA had just two duals and two diving invitationals in 2020-21), including a 3M win at Cal on Jan. 30.
The 2021-22 season saw success from both returners and newcomers, as Butler qualified for NCAAs for the third consecutive season while freshmen Zoe Jespersgaard and Maya Salvitti each earned invites to Zones. Butler proved herself one of the top divers in the Pac-12 as a junior, finishing third in 1-meter at Pac-12s, placing fifth in 1M at Zones to clinch double-qualification into NCAAs, and securing seven individual event wins over the course of the year. Meanwhile, Salvitti clinched a Zones berth with a standout effort in 1M on Jan. 29, while Jespersgaard qualified for Zones in all three events.
The 2022-23 campaign was highlighted by standout seasons from freshman Eden Cheng and senior Hannah Butler. Cheng, despite missing much of the fall season, earned Pac-12 Freshman Diver of the Year honors after a sterling debut campaign in Westwood. She tripled-qualified for the NCAA Championships, earned CSCAA All-America honors in platform after placing 15th at NCAAs, and set a program record on tower (324.60) as part of an outstanding showing at the 2023 Pac-12 Championships. Butler meanwhile double-qualified for NCAAs for the third consecutive season, and made the finals in all three events at Pac-12s. Sophomore Zoe Jespersgaard had a solid season of her own, earning Zones-qualification in both springboard events.
Tom Stebbins (C) flanked by 2019 3M NCAA Champion Maria Polyakova (L) and Eloise Belanger (R), the highest-scoring diver at the 2019 NCAA Championships
GRAHAM CARPENTER
Assistant Coach 1st Season
Wisconsin ‘13
UCLA head swimming and diving coach Jordan Cordry announced on Monday June 9, 2025, that the program has hired Graham Carpenter as an assistant coach.
Carpenter arrives in Westwood with coaching experience at the Division I and III levels. Prior to joining the staff at UCLA, Carpenter served as an assistant coach at Ohio State for three seasons, was an assistant coach at John Carroll University and also served as an assistant coach and then interim head coach at Anderson University.
“We are thrilled to welcome Graham to Westwood,” head coach Jordan Cordy said. “I have known Graham for years and have always admired his passion and drive as a coach. He’s played a key role in the recent success of the Buckeye program, and we’re excited for him to bring that experience and energy to UCLA.”
“College athletics is evolving rapidly, and it’s more important than ever to have a staff that’s not only fully committed to our student-athletes, but also creative, adaptable, and enthusiastic in meeting new challenges. I hired Graham because he embodies those qualities, and I’m confident he’ll be a great fit for our program.”
Carpenter concluded his second season as an assistant coach at Ohio State in 2024-25, following serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the Buckeyes during the 2022-23 season.
During the 2024-25 season, Carpenter helped the women’s program finish 14th at the NCAA Championships and the men’s team take 16th. He also helped coach the Buckeyes to their fifth Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship in the last six years, while also coaching the men’s side to a third-place finish at the conference meet. Under Carpenter’s tutelage, both Matt Klinge and Mila Nikanorov earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2025.
I am excited, grateful and am honored for the opportunity to be a Bruin,” Carpenter said. “I think Coach Cordry’s vision and goals for the program are truly special, and I can’t wait to be a part of it all. As a young coach, this chance to continue to learn and grow within one of the most successful athletic departments in the country is simply amazing. Go Bruins!”
As a volunteer with the Buckeyes, Carpenter assisted with recruiting efforts and accompanied student-athletes to outside competitions. He was also responsible for the implementation and management of on-deck equipment, collecting and interpreting training-related data, assisting with logistics during team travel and aided in the creation and distribution of social media content.
Prior to Ohio State, Carpenter had coaching stints at Anderson University and John Carroll University. He was a volunteer coach at Anderson during the 2019-20 season, and at the beginning of the 2020-21 season, he was named the interim head coach of the program. He spent the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach at John Carroll.
Carpenter graduated from Ball State in 2021, earning a degree in criminal justice and criminology. He competed on the swim team at Ball State for one season. Carpenter earned a graduate certificate in non-profit administration from John Carroll in 2022.
Career Highlights
2020 Tokyo Olympics Participant One Individual Event Win
Competed in six regular season meets … Won the 1000 free with a time of 10:05.23 vs. Arizona … Recorded a season-best time of 4:52.84 in the 500 free at the Ohio State Invite ... Recorded a season-best time of 10:00.23 in the 1000 free at USC ... Recorded a season-best time of 17:08.34 at the Ohio State Invite.
2023-24
Competed in six regular season meets… Earned a season high, third-place finish in the 1000 free (10:42.78) during the Stanford dual meet on Feb. 2… Finished top-five in both the 1000 free and 500 free at the Washington State dual meet on Oct. 13, earning fifth in the 1000 free (10:38.23) and fourth in the 500 free (5:07.53).
2022-23
Competed in all 12 of UCLA’s meets during the regular season, as well as the Pac-12 Championships ... At Pac-12s, swam in the 1650 free (17:23.73, 24th), 200 free (1:55.26, 41st), and 500 free (5:11.16, 45th) ... Made her NCAA debut at the Fresno State Invitational on Oct. 7-8, finishing top-three in both the 500 free and 1650 free ... Picked up her first career win on Oct. 21 in the UCSB dual meet, taking first in the 500 free (4:57.11) ... Was top-five in the 200 free and 1650 free at the UNLV Invitational ... Runner-up in both distance free events vs. Arizona on Nov. 4.
Turkish National Team
Qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, representing Turkey in the 400m freestyle and 800m freestyle relay ... Holds or held Turkish national age group records in the 400 free, 800 free, and 1500 free ... Made the A Final in the 400 free, 800 free, and 1500 free at the 2019 World Junior Championships ... Silver medalist in the 800 free and 1500 free at the 2019 European Junior Championships ... Was a standout at the 2019 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival, setting four Turkish national records as well as meet records in the 400m freestyle and 800m freestyle ... Also competed in the Golden Cup, Mediterranean Games, amd Islamic Games.
High School/Club
Attended Zafer College (freshman year) and Sinav College (grades 10-12) ... Swam for Enka Sports Club.
Personal
Full name: Beril Böcekler ... Parents are Kemal and Aysin Bocekler ... Has an older brother, Berk ... Chose UCLA because “I think it’s the best place to train hard and succeed” ... Describes her greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill as putting her foot on the starting block at the 2020 Tokyo Games ... Admires Katie Ledecky ... Enjoys listening to music, art, playing volleyball, streaming TV, and having fun with friends ... Plans on majoring in computer engineering, and aspires to land a field in the software engineering field.
Best Times
200 free - 1:51.04
500 free - 4:49.19
1000 free - 10:13.23
1650 free - 16:59.65
(last updated: July 2, 2025)
2023 Team Rookie of the Year
20204 NCAA Championships Qualifier (platform)
2024 CSCAA Second Team All-American
School Record-Holder in platform diving (325.20)
2025 NCAA Championships Qualifier (3m, platform)
2025 CSCAA Second Team All-American
2024-25
Earned CSCAA All-America Second Team honors in platform diving ... Appeared in seven regular season competitions as well as the Big Ten Championships, Zone E diving Championships, and NCAA Championships …Qualified for NCAA Championships on both the 3m and platform dives … At NCAA secured her third-straight NCAA honorable mention accolade on platform when she finished 10th overall with a score of 311.20 in the finals session ... Won the NCAA Zone E Diving Championships on platform with an overall score of 612.10 (310.00 in prelims, 302.10 in finals) … Recorded the team’s highest score in the 1-meter diving event with 288.0 points at USC ... Recorded the team’s highest score on the platform diving event with 313.75 points at the Big Ten Championships ... Recorded the team’s second-highest score on the 3-meter diving event with 292.85 points at the UNLV invite ... Won the 1-meter diving event at Stanford with a score of 283.95.
2023-24
Earned CSCAA All-America Second Team honors in platform diving... Appeared in three regular season events, as well as the Pac-12 Championships and the NCAAs... At the NCAA Championships finished ninth overall in the platform competition, earning All-American honorable mention honors... Finished second at the NCAA Zone E Championships... At Pac-12s, competed in 1-meter (277.05, 11th), 3-meter (322.30, 2nd), and won the platform competition (325.50, 1st) ... Her score of 325.50 at the Pac-12 Championships earned her the UCLA school record in the event ... Earned an individual win in 1-meter diving against California... Earned top-three finishes in 3-meter diving against Cal and at the Pac-12 Championships... Earned an individual win in platform diving competition in a dual meet with USC.
2022-23
Triple-qualified for Zones and NCAAs as a true freshman ... Earned CSCAA All-America Second Team honors in platform diving ... Finished 15th in platform (253.20) at NCAAs, and also competed in 3M ... Qualified for 1M but did not compete in that event at NCAAs ... Set a UCLA school record in platform diving at the Pac-12 Championships (324.60) en route to a third-place finish ... Selected as Rookie of the Year at the team’s end-of-year banquet ... Was runner-up in platform at the Zone E Diving Championships (599.95) while also finishing sixth in 3-meter (609.45) and 11th in 1-meter (548.50) ... Was UCLA’s top-performing diver at Pac-12s, hitting the podium in platform while also finishing fourth in 3M (317.10) and 15th in 1M (260.40) ... Improved her score from prelims to finals in all three events at Pac-12s ... Notched her first individual event win on Feb. 10 at USC, taking first in platform (304.80) ... Made her collegiate debut at the Fresno State Invitational from Oct. 7-8 ... For the season, had the best score on the team in platform (324.60) and the third-best score in 1M (281.95) and 3M (317.10).
Great Britain Diving
Qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, representing Great Britain in women’s 10-meter synchronized diving ... Placed seventh in that event in Tokyo ... Prior to attending UCLA, secured five international medals and five domestic medals during her senior career with Team GB ... Won a gold medal in the 10-meter platform at the 2022 British Diving Championships ... Secured qualification to the Tokyo Olympics after a silver-medal-finish in 10m synchro at the 2021 FINA Diving World Cup (held in Tokyo, Japan) ... Earned her first international gold medal at the senior level in 2018, finishing first place in 10m synchro at the European Aquatics Championships ... Silver medalist in 10m platform at the 2022 Commonwealth Games ... Placed runner-up in 10m synchro at the 2019 European Championships, helping Great Britain to a team bronze medal for the competition overall ... Secured a silver medal in 10m synchro at the 2021 European Diving Championships ... Made her senior debut in 2017, and appeared at her first senior World Championships in 2019 ... Won gold in platform at the 2017 British Elite Junior Championships at the age of 14 ... Won 3m and platform titles as a 13-year old at Britain’s 2016 National Age Group Championships.
High School/Club
Attended Alleyn’s School in London ... Competed with Crystal Palace Diving Club.
Personal
Full name: Eden Cheng ... Parents are Simon and Vivian Cheng ... Has one older sister, Abigail ... Chose UCLA because “it’s such a prestigious school, with top-level athletic and academic departments” ... Lists her greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill as competing on the Olympic and World stages ... Admires Tom Daley ... Enjoys photography and playing with her dog, Bailey ... In her youth, performed in multiple operas as a child actor in London’s Royal Opera House ... Plans on majoring in mathematics with computations.
Collegiate Bests
1M - 281.95
3M - 317.10
Platform - 325.50
(last updated: July 1, 2025)
Career Highlights
Four Individual Event Wins
2024-25
ASHLEY KOLESSAR
5-8 / Senior Free/Fly/IM Kadikoy, Turkey Cevre College
Competed in eight regular season events as well as the Big Ten Championships ... At the Big Ten Championships, competed in the 200 fly (2:00.60, 24th) and the 1650 free (16:29.49, 21st) ... Recorded the team’s fastest time in the 500 free (4:47.36, Ohio State Invite), the 1000 free (9:47.36, USC) and the 1650 free (16:29.49, Big Ten Championships) ... Earned an individual event win in the 500 free at the UNLV Invite with a time of 4:49.29 ... Won the 1000 free at UC San Diego with a time of 10:06.12 ... Won the 1650 free with a time of 16:37.00 at the UNLV Invite ... Contributed to the winning 800 free relay team at the Fresno State Invite, recording a time of 7:27.05.
2023-24
Appeared in all 12 regular season meets as well as the Pac-12 Championships... At the Pac-12 Championships, competed in the 200 fly (1:59.16, 16th), 400 IM (4:15.43, 14th), and 1650 free (16:24.28, 5th)... Earned 11 regular season event wins, including four event wins in the 1000 free... Recorded a team best time of 9:59.30 in the 1000 free against ASU... Recorded a season best time of 4:46.30 in the 500 free against USC... Recorded a team best time of 16:24.28 in the 1650 free at the Pac-12 Championships.
2022-23
Competed in all 12 of UCLA’s regular season meets as a true freshman ... Made the B Final of the 200 fly and C Final of the 400 IM at the Pac-12 Championships ... At Pac-12s, placed 15th in the 200 fly (2:00.15), 17th in the 400 IM (4:14.13), and 31st in the 200 IM (2:02.74) ... Picked up four individual event wins over the course of the year, two in the 200 fly and one apiece in the 200 IM and 400 IM ... For the season, had the second-best time on the team in both the 200 fly (1:58.50) and 200 IM (1:59.45) ... Finished top-three in both the 200 fly and 200 IM at USC on Feb. 10, going a best time in the former (1:59.45) to place runner-up ... Made her collegiate debut at the Fresno State Invitational from Oct. 7-8, finishing runner-up in both the 200 fly and 400 IM ... Notched her first-career win on Oct. 21 in the UCSB dual meet, placing first in the 200 IM (2:03.96) and runner-up in the 200 free (1:51.36) ... Won the 200 fly (2:01.42) and was runner-up in the 400 IM (4:27.61) against Utah on Oct. 28 ... Scored in multiple events in both dual meets against the Pac-12 Arizona schools (Nov. 4 & 5) ... Won the 200 fly (1:59,19) and placed fifth in the 400 IM (4:23.05) at the UNLV Invitational from Dec. 17-19 ... Notched a win in the 400 IM (4:27.21) against Denver on Jan. 14.
High School/Club
Attended Academy of Notre Dame de Namur ... Three-time Scholastic AllAmerican ... Placed first in the 500 free at the 2022 Eastern Interscholastic Swimming Championships, and was runner-up in the 200 IM ... Holds or held school records in the 100 free, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay, and 400 free relay ... Swam with the Suburban Seahawks Club ... Holds or held club records in the 400 IM (LMC) and 200 fly ... First person in club history to swim the 200 IM in under two minutes.
Personal
Full name: Ashley Kolessar ... Parents are Jeff and Michelle Kolessar ... Has two sisters, Madison and Kaitlyn ... Chose UCLA because of “the welcoming community, outstanding academics, and the beautiful campus.”
Best Times
50 free - 24.13
100 free - 51.07
200
Career Highlights
2024 Olympian
Gizem Guvenc
5-9 / R-Senior Free/Fly Kadikoy, Turkiye Cevre College
Bronze Medal at the 2024 European Swimming Championship in the 4x200 free relay representing Turkiye
2023 CSCAA All-American (800 Free Relay) One Individual Event Win
International
Helped qualify Turkiye for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 800 free relay before being selected to represent Turkiye at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France... Swam the first leg of the 800 free relay in Paris, helping Turkiye finish 16th in Paris with a time of 8:05.18... Earlier in the summer helped Turkiye take third in the 4x200 free relay at the European Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
2024-25
Appeared in eight regular season events ... Recorded the team’s fastest times this season in two events, the 100 freestyle and the 200 freestyle... Recorded a team-best time in the 100 freestyle at the Ohio State Invite, earning an NCAA B-cut... Recorded a team-best time of 1:45.30 in the 200 freestyle at the Ohio State Invite, earning an NCAA B-cut... Achieved two individual event wins at Arizona, recording a time of 49.21 in the 100 freestyle and 1:46.48 in the 200 freestyle... Anchored the team’s season-best performance in the 400 free relay... Led off the team’s season-best in the 800 free relay.
2023-24
Appeared in all 12 regular season meets, as well as the Pac-12 Championships... At the Pac-12 Championships, competed in the 50 free (23.26, 43rd), 100 free (49.46, 20th), and 200 free (1:47.74, 22nd)... Picked up five individual wins throughout the season, in the 100, 200, and 500 free... Set a season best time in the 100 free at the Pac-12 Championships (49.46)... Set a season best time in the 200 free against USC (1:46.04), achieving the NCAA B Cut... Anchored the winning 400 medley relay at the Fresno State Invite and against UCSB.
2022-23
Earned CSCAA All-America honors in the 800 free relay after helping UCLA to a 15th place finish at the 2023 NCAA Championships ... Split 1:45.79 on that relay, just 0.02 seconds behind Katrina Bellio for the fastest on the team ... Competed at the Pac-12 Championships, making the B Final in the 200 free ... At Pac-12s, finished 16th in the 200 free and 30th in the 50 free ... Made her NCAA debut at the UCSD dual meet on Jan. 7, winning the 200 free (1:50.51) and scoring in the 100 free ... Runner-up in the 200 free vs. Denver on Jan. 14 ... Scored in the 100 free and 200 free at USC on Feb. 10.
2021-22
Did not compete for UCLA during the 2021-22 season.
High School/ Club
Attended Cevre College in Erenkoy, Turkey ... Competed for five years in high school ... Was team captain for three of those seasons ... Competed for Fenerbahce Sports Club ... During her prep career, set a number of Turkish national records and age-group records; she’s the national record-holder in both 200 LCM freestyle (1:58.24) and 200 SCM freestyle (1:55.91), and was also on relay squads that set Turkish national records in the 4X100 LCM free relay, 2X200 LCM free relay, 4X50 SCM free relay, 4X100 SCM free relay, 4X200 SCM free relay, and 4X50 SCM medley relay ... Also an age-group record-holder in the 50m free, 100m free, 100m IM, and 200m IM ... At the 2020 Turkish Short Course
2024-25
Ava Lachey
5-6 / Senior Free
New Albany, Ohio. New Albany, HS
Appeared in six regular season meets ... Recorded a season-best time of 23.63 in the 50 free at the UNLV Invite ... Recorded a season-best time of 51.08 at Cal ... Finished in a season-high eighth place in the 200 free at USC, recording a time of 1:50.64 ... Swam on nine relay teams throughout the regular season.
2023-24
Appeared in eight regular season meets... Earned a top-five finish in the 200 free with a time of 1:55.10 against UCSB... Recorded a season best time of 23.89 in the 50 free against Cal... Recorded a season best time of 50.89 in the 100 free against USC... Recorded a season best time of 1:50.72 in the 200 free against USC... Anchored eight relay teams throughout the regular season.
2022-23
Competed in 10 of UCLA’s 12 regular season meets as a true freshman ... Made her collegiate debut at the Fresno State Invitational on Oct. 7 ... Scored in the 200 free on back-to-back days in dual meets against Arizona and Arizona State (Nov. 4-5) ... Finished top-10 in the 100 free at the UNLV Invitational (Dec. 17-19).
High School/Club
Four-year letterwinner at New Albany High School ... 14-time All-American ... 16-time All-Ohio ... Three-time Scholastic All-American ... Swam for New Albany Aquatics Club.
Personal
Full name: Ava Lachey ... Pronounced luh-SHAY ... Parents are Jennifer and Ron Lachey ... Has a younger brother, Blake, and an older sister, Mia ... Uncle is former NFL offensive lineman Jim Lachey ... Chose UCLA because of “the amazing athletics and academics. I love both the coaches and the team when I came to visit, and that moment I knew I was going to be a Bruin” ... Admires Michael Phelps ... Enjoys listening to podcasts, going for walks, going to the pool and beach, and going to concerts and festivals ... Planning on majoring in business economics.
Best Times
50 free - 23.23
100 free - 50.02
200 free - 1:49.22
(last updated: July 2, 2024)
National Championships, was the winner in the 200m free (1:56.89) and was runner-up in the 100m free (54.87) while helping set a new national record in the 4X50m free relay ... Qualified for the 200m free finals at the 2019 European Junior Championships ... Has represented Turkey at multiple European and World Championship events ... Was invited to the Turkish Olympic Team training camp.
Personal
Full name: Gizem Guvenc ... Born in Istanbul, Turkey ... Birthday is Aug. 9 ... Parents are Didem Guvenc and Refik Kutlu Guvenc ... Has one younger sister, Deniz ... Chose UCLA becuase “everything about it felt like the perfect fit for me, it was my childhood dream” ... Cites recording an Olympic B Cut in the 200m freestyle as her greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill ... Admires Hungarian swimmer Katinka Hosszu ... Enjoys singing and drinking coffee in her free time ... Is a talented singer ... Plans on majoring in psychology ... Aspires to be a sports psychologist.
Best Times (as of Mar. 22, 2023)
50 free - 23.13
100 free - 49.34
200 free - 1:45.66
Career Highlights
2025 NCAA Championships Qualifier
One Individual Event Win
2024-25
Fay Lustria
5-4 / Senior Fly/IM
Portland, Ore
Westview HS
Career Highlights
Rosie Murphey
5-8 / Senior Back/IM
Sacramento, Calif. Granite Bay HS
Competed at six regular season meets as well as at the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships ... Was the lead-off swimmer on the school record-breaking 200 medley relay (1:35.80, Big Ten Championships) and 400 medley relay (3:31.61, NCAA Championships ... At the NCAA Championships, led off the 200 medley (1:36.17, 21st) and the 400 medley relay (3:31.61, 20th) ... At the Big Ten Championships, competed in the 100 back (53.18, 14th), the 200 back (1:56.80, 20th), the 100 fly (53.20, 21st), the 200 medley relay (1:35.80, 6th), and the 400 medley relay (3:33.86, 6th) ... Recorded top-three times on the team in the 100 back, 100 fly, and 200 fly.
2023-24
Competed in 11 regular season meets as well as the Pac-12 Championships... At the Pac-12 Championships, competed in the 100 back (52.89, 4th) and the 200 back (1:57.52, 12th)... Earned two regular season event wins, in the 50 and 100 back... Totaled eight top three regular season finishes... Recorded a team best time of 52.89 in the 100 back at the Pac-12 Championships... Recorded a season best time of 1:57.52 in the 200 back at the Pac-12 Championships... Recorded a season best time of 2:00.60 in the 200 fly at the Art Adamson Invite... Appeared on 18 relay teams, including at the Pac-12 Championships.
2022-23
Swam in 11 of UCLA’s 12 regular season meets as a true freshman ... Had a strong showing at the Pac-12 Championships, going best times in the 50 fly and 100 fly while making the finals for both butterfly events ... Ocerall, finished 16th in the 200 fly, 18th in the 100 fly, and 34th in the 200 IM ... Logged her first NCAA event win on Jan. 7 against UCSD, finishing first in the 200 fly (2:05.64) ... Made her collegiate debut on Oct. 21 at the UCSB dual meet, finishing top-four in the 100 fly, 200 fly, and 200 IM ... Placed top-10 in the 100 fly, 100 IM, and 400 IM at the UNLV Invitational (Dec. 17-19) ... Went a best time in the 200 fly (1:58.04) at Cal on Jan. 28.
High School/Club
A four-year letterwinner at Westview High School in Portland, Ore. ... Received All-America honors all four years of high school along with being named a four-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... Multi-time state champion ... 28-time Oregon state-record-holder, including 12 standing individual and 10 standing relay records upon her arrival at UCLA ... Swam competitively for 13 years prior to attending UCLA ... Swam most recently with Lake Oswego Swim Club.
Personal
Full name: Fay Marie Lustria ... Parents are Keith and Connie Lustria ... Has one brother, Zay Montalbo, and one sister, Kay Arnold ... Her and her siblings’ names all rhyme (Fay, Kay, Zay) ... Chose to attend UCLA because of “the amazing combination of athletics and academics. UCLA gives its athletes access to elite resources and training that would take my swimming ablities to another level, as well as helping me in my academic pursuits and preparing for future career endeavors” ... Describes her greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill as winning the state championship and breaking the state record in the 200 IM ... Admires Natalie Coughlin and Misty Hyman ... Enjoys swimming, singing, playing piano, painting, drawing, and sewing ... Plans for a career in computer programming.
Best Times
50 free - 23.96
100 free - 50.84
200 free - 1:51.52
50 back - 25.81
100 back - 52.89
200 back - 1:57.52
50 fly - 25.97
100 fly - 54.07
200 fly - 1:58.04
100 IM - 57.84
200 IM - 2:00.36
400 IM - 4:18.98
(last updated: Mar. 28, 2023)
Four Pac-12 “A” Finals Four Individual Event Wins 2024 All-American Honorable Mention (400 IM) School Record Holder (200 IM, 200 backstroke) 2025 NCAA Championships Qualifier
2024-25
Competed in six regular season meets, as well as the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Championships ... At the NCAA Championships took part in the 200 back (1:54.35, 39th), 400 IM (4:11.72, 31st), and 200 IM (1:58.00, 49th) … At the Big Ten Championships, competed in the 200 back (1:54.07, 11th), the 200 IM (1:56.66, 10th), and the 400 IM (4:11.36, 13th) ... Recorded the team’s top four times in the 200 back, with her best performance of 1:53.36 at the Ohio State Invite ... Swam the team’s fastest time of 1:56.66 in the 200 IM at the Big Ten Championships ... Earned five individual event wins throughout the regular season.
2023-24
Appeared in all twelve regular season meets, as well as the Pac-12 Championships and the NCAAs... At the Pac-12 Championships, competed in the 200 Back (1:53.13, 3rd), the 200 IM (1:55.93, 5th), and the 400 IM (4:06.00, 4th)... At the NCAAs, competed in the 200 Back (1:53.83, 26th), the 200 fly (1:56.32, 22nd), and the 400 IM (4:05.01, 10th)... With her 10th place finish in the 400 IM earned All-American honorable mention honors... Recorded team high times in the 200 back (1:53.13), the 200 fly (1:56.32), and the 200 IM (1:55.93)... Recorded seven individual event wins in the 200 back and one individual event win in the 200 IM throughout the regular season.
2022-23
Swam in all 12 of UCLA’s regular-season meets as a true freshman ... Was a standout at the 2023 Pac-12 Championships, making the A Final in the 400 IM and the B Finals of the 200 back and 200 IM ... At Pac-12s, placed eighth in the 400 IM (4:12.10), 12th in the 200 back (1:55.29), and 13th in the 200 IM (1:55.74) ... Set best times in both IMs at the league meet ... For the season, had four individual event wins, all in the 200 back ... Finished the year with the best time on the team in the 200 back (1:54.90) and 200 IM (1:58.62), and the second-best time in the 100 back (53.99) and 400 IM (4:12.10) ... Notched her first collegiate win on Nov. 4 against Arizona in the 200 back (1:58.46), was also runner-up in the 100 back and fourth in the 400 IM ... Scored in both backstroke events against ASU on Nov. 5, including a win in the 200 back ... Won the 200 back, and was runner-up in the 400 IM against UCSD on Jan. 7 ... Won the 200 back and was runner-up in the 100 back against Denver on Jan. 14 ... Made her collegiate debut at the Fresno State Invitational on Oct. 7, highlighted by a runner-up result in the 200 back ... Runner-up in both backstroke events against Utah on Oct. 28 ... Placed top-six in four events at the UNLV Invitational, including runner-up finishes in the 100 IM and 200 breast ... Scored in three events against USC on Feb. 10.
High School/Club
Four-year letterwinner at Granite Bay High School ... Swam for the Sierra Marlins Swim Team ... Had an Olympic Trials cut in the 200 back ... Competed at the 2019 CIF State Championships, making the A Final of the 100 back and B Final of the 200 IM.
Personal
Full name: Elizabeth Murphy ... Parents are Sarah and Mike ... Has two older brothers, Christian and John ... Chose UCLA because of “the supportive coaching staff, location, and academic reputation” ... Describes her greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill as the US Olympic Trials ... Admires Olivia Smoglia ... Enjoys thrifting, listening to music, and surfing.
Best
50
100
200
200
400 IM - 4:12.10
(last updated: Apr. 29, 2023)
2024-25
Fiona Schere
5-9 / Senior Free Severn,Md. The Key School
Appeared in three regular season meets ... Recorded a season-best time of 23.53 in the 50 free vs. Arizona ... Recorded a season-best time of 55.36 in the 100 free at the Fresno State Invite ... Led off on two relays and anchored two relays throughout the course of the regular season.
2023-24
Appeared in all twelve regular season meets as well as the Pac-12 Championships... At the Pac-12 Championships, competed in the 50 free (23.08), the 100 free (50.89), and the 200 free (1:51.78)... Anchored the 200 Medley Relay C team at the Pac-12 Championships... Anchored five 200 Medley Relay teams throughout the regular season.
2022-23
Competed in 10 of UCLA’s 12 regular season meets as a true freshman ... Set a best time in the 50 free (22.90) at USC on Feb. 10 ... Scored in the 100 free (52.21, fifth) against UCSD on Jan. 7 ... Made four finals at the UNLV Invitational from Dec. 17-19, including a fifth-place result in the 100 IM (57.79) and a 10th place finish in the 50 free (23.64) ... Made her collegiate debut at the Fresno State Invitational from Oct. 7-8, swimming in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 breast.
High School/Club
Attended The Key School from grades 1-12 ... Swam for North Baltimore Aquatic Club ... Earned All-America and all-conference honors during her prep career.
Personal
Full name: Fiona Schere ... Parents are Davina and David Schere ... Has one older sister, Yvonne ... Chose UCLA because of “its academics, athletic, and team culture. I found myself drawn to UCLA and couldn’t be happier with my decision” ... Describes her greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill as winning a state championship during her high school career ... Admires Simone Manuel ... Enjoys reading, music, hiking, and camping.
Best Times
50 free - 22.96
100 free - 50.08
200 free - 1:51.96
(last updated: May 17, 2023)
Career Highlights
2020 Tokyo Olympics Participant
KATRINA BELLIO
5-7 / R-Junior Distance Free Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Silverthorn Institute
2023 CSCAA All-American (800 Free Relay) Freshman Program Record Holder (500 Free) 10 Individual Event Wins
2023-24
Did not compete during the 2023-24 season.
2022-23
Competed at NCAAs as a relay alternate in the 800 free relay ... Earned Second Team CSCAA All-America honors after helping UCLA to a 15th place finish in the 800 free relay (7:07.20) ... Had the fastest split of any Bruin in that relay (1:45.77) ... Swam in all 12 of UCLA’s regular season meets as well as the Pac-12 Championships ... Totaled 10 individual wins over the course of the season in the following events: 1000 free (five), 500 free (two), 1650 free (two), 400 IM (one) ... Swam individually in three events at the Pac-12 Championships, posting best times and making the B Final of the 500 free (4:43.18, 11th) and 400 IM (4:13.25, 12th) while finishing sixth overall in the 1650 free (16:22.96) ... Her time in the 500 free at Pac-12s also represented a record for a UCLA freshman ... Made her collegiate debut at the Fresno State Invitational on Oct. 7-8, logging her first-career event win in the mile ... Won the 1000 free vs. UC Santa Barbara on Oct. 21 for her first event win in a dual meet ... Swept the distance free events vs. Utah on Oct. 28 and Arizona on Nov. 4 (500 free, 1000 free) ... Picked up wins in the 400 IM and 1650 free to help the Bruins to a first-place team finish at the UNLV Invitational from Dec. 17-19 ... For the season, had UCLA’s top time in
the 500 free, 1000 free, and 1650 free ... Season-best times: 50 free (24.49), 200 free (1:47.47), 500 free (4:43.18), 1000 free (9:50.17), 1650 free (16:21.06), 400 IM (4:13.25).
Team Canada
Qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, representing Team Canada in the 1500 free ... Finished 21st overall in the 1500m heats in Tokyo ... Also participated in the Bell Canadian Swimming Trials and FINA World Championships ... One of just three Canadians to compete in both pool and open water competition at the 2022 FINA World Championships ... Won the 800 free and placed runner-up in the 400 free and 1500 free at the 2022 Canadian Trails ... Qualified for the 2019 Junior World Championships ... Female High Point Winner at the 2019 Canadian Swimming Trials ... Set Canadian national age group records (13-14 yo) in the 800 free and 400 IM.
High School/Club
Swam for Silverthorn Collegiate Institute and Etobicoke Swim Club.
Personal
Full name: Katrina Bellio ... Parents are Lorraine and Richard Bellio ... Has three sisters, Oliva, Alyssa, and Vanessa ... Chose UCLA because of “the facilities available for student-athletes, as well as the incredible swim team. All the coaches at UCLA admire my goals and know how they can help me further my goals in swimming. UCLA is also one of the best schools in America for academics, and it’s a privilege to go to school here” ... Cites making the Canadian Olympic Team as her greatest athletic thrill ... Admires Katie Ledecky and Brittany McLean ... Enjoys painting, sketching, and spending time with family ... Planning on majoring in human biology, with an eye towards a career in sports nutrition.
Best Times (as of Mar. 22, 2023)
200 free - 1:47.47
500 free - 4:43.18
1000 free - 9:50.17
1650 free - 16:21.06
400 IM - 4:13.25
2024-25
Sarah Bennetts
5-6 / Junior Free
Davis, Calif Davis HS
Competed in five regular season meets as well as the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships ... Swam on the 200 free relay team that broke the school record and finished in a time of 1:28.85 at the Big Ten Championships ... At the NCAA Championships, anchored the 400 free relay (3:16.39, 27th) and swam on the 200 free relay (1:29.31, 27th) ... At the Big Ten Championships, competed in the 100 breast (1:00.87, 16th), the 200 free relay, and the 400 free relay (3:15.71, 8th) ... Recorded top-three times for the team in the 50 free (22.86, 3rd) ... 100 free (49.80, 3rd), and the 200 free (1:47.86, 2nd) ... Contributed to the team’s top times in the 200 free relay, the 400 free relay (3:14.69) and the 800 free relay (7:15.85).
2023-24
Competed in all 12 regular season meets, as well as the Pac-12 Championships… At Pac-12s, swam in the 50 free (22.63, 20th), 100 breast (1:00.31, 9th), 200 breast (2:11.01, 11th)… Made her NCAA debut at the Fresno State Invite on Oct. 6-7, finishing second in the 100 breast and fourth in the 100 IM… Earned her first career win on Oct. 20 in the UCSB dual meet, taking first in the 200 breast (2:16.52)… Set a new personal best, picking up her second career win on Nov. 3 in the Arizona State dual meet, earning first in the 100 breast (1:00.09)… Finished in the top-two for 100 breast and 100 free on Jan. 13 in the Utah dual meet, taking first in the 100 breast (1:03.01) and second in the 100 free (51.40).
High School/Club
Earned four varsity letters at Davis Senior High School in her hometown ... Swam club with DART Swimming ... Davis HS was San Joaquin Section Champion in 2022 and 2023, and CIF State Champion runner-up in 2022 ... Was CIF State Champion in the 100 breast in 2023, and was runner-up in 2022 ... San Joaquin champion and recordholder in the 100 breast ... Also won a section championship in the 100 free ... Davis HS record-holder in the 100 breast and 100 free ... High School All-American in the 100 breast, 100 free, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay, and 400 free relay ... Team MVP in 2022 ... Earned the Denali Knapp Award in 2023 ... With DART, set club records in the 100 free, 200 free, 100 breast, and 200 breast ... Was a three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... Two-time participant in Winter Junior Nationals, making an A Final in the 100 breast ... Was a B Finalist in the 100 breast and C Finalist in the 50 free at the Summer Junior Nationals.
Personal
Full name: Sarah Marie Bennetts ... Parents are Christine and Aaron Bennetts ... Decided to attend UCLA because of “the great combination of athletics and academics, and because I felt a great connection with the coaches and team” ... Cites qualifying for
2024-25
Molly Brascia
5-2 / Junior Diving
Mission Viejo, Calif Capistrano Valley HS
Appeared in multiple regular season meets, the NCAA Zone E Diving Championships, and the NCAA Championships … Took eighth at the Zone E Diving Championships in the 1m competition to book a spot at NCAA’s for the first time in her career … Finished 47th overall at the NCAA Championships on 1m with a final score of 233.50 … Recorded a season-best score of 283.85 on the one-meter diving event … Finished in third place on the one-meter diving event vs. Arizona (269.05) and at the UNLV Invite (265.90).
2023-24
Appeared in 3 regular season meets, as well as the Pac-12 Championships… At Pac-12s, competed in 1-meter (225.00, 19th) and 3-meter (263.05, 13th)… Made her NCAA debut at the Cal dual meet, finishing sixth in the 1-meter (210.90) and fifth in the 3-meter (246.05).
High School/Club
Was a four-year letterwinner in both diving and golf at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, Calif. ... In 2023, was a High School All-American in diving ... Helped CVHS to a Sea View League Championship as a senior ... Was a three-time CIF Individual Finals qualifier ... Served as team captain in both 2021 and 2022 ... Also qualified for CIF individuals in golf in 2021 and 2022 ... Member of the Mission Viejo Nadadores club.
Personal
Full name: Molly Brascia ... Last name is pronounced “BRAH-shuh” ... Parents are Vinnie and Ann Brascia ... Has two older siblings, Mary and Maggie ... Plans to major in communication ... Aspires to work in sports broadcasting ... Chose UCLA because “it was always my dream to attend UCLA, I love the school spirit on campus, the tradition, and the quality education” ... Admires Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Krysta Palmer ... Hobbies and interests include golf, pickleball, ping pong, piano, going to the beach, rooting for the Dodgers, and binging Survivor and The Office ... Was a junior national champion in trampoline ... Once met Harry Styles in a golf shop ... Her two older sisters play on the pro pickleball tour.
2023-24
Elena Dry
5-9 / Junior
IM/Fly/Free
Raleigh, N.C
Needham Broughton HS
Laura Fisher
5-2 / Junior Diving
Altadena, Calif
Aveson Global Leadership Academy
Appeared in nine regular season meets... Earned season-high eighth place three times, in the 200 IM against Illinois (2:11.24), and in the 200 fly against UCSB (2:17.24), and USC (2:08.26)... Set season-best time in the 100 fly against USC (56.32)... Joined three 200 free relay teams, one 400 free relay team, one 200 medley relay team, and two 400 medley relay teams.
High School/Club
Earned four varsity letters at Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C. ... Was a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American in each of her final three seasons ... 10-time NISCA High School All-American ... Two-time 4A State Champion (200 free relay, 400 free relay) ... Competed with the TAC Titans ... Set a 13-14 NAG record in the 200 medley relay ... Three-time individual state record-holder ... Qualified for the US Open and Winter Junior Nationals.
Personal
Full name: Elena Dry ... Parents are Silvija and Bil Dry ... Has a brother, Anthony ... Plans on majoring in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology ... Aspires to become a surgeon ... Chose UCLA because of “its combination of incredible academics and athletics, plus the group of women is unlike any other team I have been part of before, it’s the most amazing environment I have had the privilege to be around” ... In her free time, enjoys baking and going to coffee shops with friends ... Can touch her nose with her tongue.
Best Times
50 free - 23.51
100 free - 51.55
200 free - 1:50.91
100 fly - 54.55
200 fly - 2:01.84
200 IM - 2:03.32 (as of July 2, 2024)
2024-25
Appeared in four regular season competitions, as well as the NCAA Zone E diving Championships on 3m and platform ... at Fresno State, recorded a season-high 261.90 in the 1-meter competition, finishing in third place... Scored 239.05 in 1-meter diving vs Arizona and 232.05 in the event at USC ... Scored 244.60 in the platform diving event at the Ohio State Invite.
2023-24
Appeared in four regular season events as well as the Pac-12 Championships and the NCAA Zone E Championships... At the Pac-12 Championships, competed in 1-meter (188.25, 23rd), 3-meter (229.80, 21st), and Platform diving (216.35, 12th)... Took part in the NCAA Zone E Championships where she advanced to the fianls session before finishing in 13th place... Scored season high 234.60 in 1-meter diving against Illinois... Scored season high 267.45 in 3-meter diving at the Trojan Diving Invite... Scored season high 226.35 in platform diving at the Trojan Diving Invite, achieving the NCAA Zones Qualifying Standard.
High School/Club
Competed with Los Angeles Dive Club ... Was a USA Diving Junior National Championships qualifier each year from 2016-19 and 2022-23.
Personal
Full name: Laura Fisher ... Parents are Brendan and Syndia Fisher ... Plans on majoring in chemistry ... Aspires to a career in medicine ... Chose UCLA because of “the combination of amazing academics and athletics, the campus, and the team” ... Cites learning new dives on 10-meter platform as her greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill ... Admires Delaney Schnell and Tom Daley ... Hobbies and interests include cooking, baking, reading, and pets (especially cats) ... Her grandfather, John, attended UCLA.
2024-25
Katy Patcher
5-10 / Junior Free/Fly
Davidsonville, MD
South River HS
Alexis Schaffer
5-6 / Junior Free
Mountain View, Calif. St. Francis HS
Competed in four regular season meets ... Recorded a season-best time of 24.39 in the 50 free at UC San Diego ... Swam season-best times of 51.09 in the 100 free and 1:50.97 in the 200 free at the UNLV Invite ... Contributed to four relays throughout the regular season.
2023-24
Appeared in all twelve regular season meets, as well as the Pac-12 Championships... At the Pac-12 Championships, competed in the 50 free (23.37, 46th), the 100 free (49.86, 30th), and the 200 free (1:48.66, 28th)... Recorded a top-three finish in the 200 free against UCSB and a top-three finish in the 200 fly against Utah... Anchored the 800 free B relay team at the Pac-12 Championships.
High School/Club
Attended South River High School in Edgewater, Md. ... Was a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... Competed with the North Baltimore Aquatic Club ... Was a Maryland State Champion in the 100 free and 200 free in both 2022 and 2023.
Personal
Full name: Katherine Pacher ... Goes by “Katy” ... Last name is pronounced “PAY-shur” ... Parents are Betsy and Leo Pacher ... Has an older brother, Charlie ... Plans to major in global studies ... Aspires to a career in law ... Chose UCLA because of the “reputation of the school and athletic programs, and an opportunity to live on the West Coast for the first time” ... Cites winning a jacket at her first Maryland State Championships when she was 13 as her greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill ... Admires Michael Phelps, who is also from her hometown of Baltimore ... Enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and cooking ... Lived in Germany for three years during her youth, which is where she first started competing in swimming.
Best Times (as of Sept. 14, 2023)
50 free - 23.09
100 free - 49.53
200 free - 1:47.50
500 free
2024-25
Appeared in three regular season events ... Recorded a season best time of 24.57 at the Fresno State Invite ... Recorded season best times of 51.10 in the 100 free and 1:50.94 in the 200 free at the Ohio State Invite ... Contributed to six relays throughout the course of the regular season.
2023-24
Appeared in seven regular season meets... Recorded a season best time of 50.82 in the 100 free against Cal... Recorded a season best time of 1:51.50 in the 200 free against Utah.
High School/Club
Attended St. Francis High School in Mountain View, Calif. ... Swam club with Palo Alto Stanford Aquatic ... Swam in the B Final of the 100 free at the 2022 CIF State Championships ... Placed top-10 in the 50 free and 100 free at the 2022 CIF CCS Championships.
Personal
Parents are Lisa and Greg Schaffer ... Is the youngest of three daughters ... Joins her sisters, Brooke and Taylor, as teammates on the 2023-24 UCLA squad ... Her father, Greg, was a member of the UCLA men’s swim team and finished runner-up in the 200 breast at NCAAs in 1993.
Best Times (as of Sept. 15, 2023)
50 free - 23.46
100 free - 51.34
200 free - 1:50.99
500 free - 5:03.03
100 fly - 56.47
2023-24
Maya Shtolzberg
5-5 / Junior Diving
Porter Ranch. Calif Nortre Dame HS
Appeared in four regular season meets... Recorded a season high score of 216.40 in 1-meter diving at the Bruin Diving Invitational... Recorded a season high score of 219.25 in 3-meter diving against Cal... Recorded a season-high score of 198.95 in platform diving at the Trojan Diving Invite.
High School/Club
Attended Granada Hills High School in Granada Hills, Calif., and Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif. ... Competed with the Los Angeles Dive Club.
Personal
Full name: Maya Shtolzberg ... Parents are Michelle and Nir Shtolzberg ... Planning on majoring in biology ... Aspires to become a doctor ... Has an older brother, Ben ... Chose UCLA because “since I was seven years old, I have attended many Bruin gymnastics meets, swimming competitions, and basketball games with the hope of one day competing on the UCLA team. UCLA provides a rigorous academic and athletic environment that I feel will help me accomplish my goals for the future” ... Admires Kobe Bryant and Simone Biles ... Enjoys reading and writing poetry in her free time ... Other hobbies and interests include artwork, making jewelry, styling hair, and spending time with friends and family ... Was a level 10 gymnast and trained at a competitive level for 12 years before turning to diving ... Her brother, Ben, plays basketball at UC Santa Barbara ... Her father played semi-pro hockey in Canada.
Competed in eight regular season meets ... Recorded a season-best time of 24.71 in the 50 free at the Fresno State Invite ... Recorded a season-best time of 1:50.82 in the 200 free at the Ohio State Invite ... Recorded season-best times in the 100 back (55.90) and the 200 back (2:00.17) vs Arizona ... Earned her season-high finish at third place in the 200 back vs Arizona ... Was in the lead-off spot on the 200 free relay at three meets and anchored at two others.
High School/ Club
Earned four varsity letters in swimming at Roosevelt High School… Swam club at Seatlle Metropolitan Aquatic Club… Made AAA Washington State Finals 3 years in a row… Won the 100 Back at the High School League Championship all three years of high school… Holds the Roosevelt HS record in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 backstroke… Named team captain in 2023… With SMAC, set
club records in the 100 and 200 yard backstroke as well as the 50M free and 200M backstroke and multiple relays… Finalist at Summer Junior Nationals in the 100 Backstroke… Multiple championship wins in the 50, 100, and 200 yard backstroke at Pacific Northwest Championship Meets.
Personal
Full Name: Catherine Andrews… Parents are Kai and Jen Andrews… Decided to attend UCLA because “the school checked all the boxes for me (academically, location, etc.) and I absolutely love the coaches and swimmers on the team… greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill was when her 400 medley relay won Futures in 2021 from an outside lane… Admires Regan Smith and Alex Morgan… Hobbies and Interests include baking, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and spending time outdoors.
Top row (left to right): Lauren Hallaselka, Katy Pacher, Elena Dry, Camrynn Wilson, Amy Zhang Bottom row (left to right): Sarah Bennetts, Laura Fisher, Molly Brascia, Maya Shtolzberg, Angela Quan, Alexis Schaffer
2024-25
Josie Arbuckle
5-7 / Sophomore Freestyle/Butterfly/Backstroke
Dallas, Texas Greenhill HS
Appeared in seven regular season meets as well as the Big Ten Championships ... At the Big Ten Championships, swam on the 400 free relay (3:15.71, 8th) ... Recorded a season-best time of 23.02 in the 50 free at the Ohio State Invite, which was a top-ten performance in the event for the team ... Recorded a season-best times of 50.38 in the 100 free and 1:48.58 in the 200 free at USC ... Earned her season-high finish of third place in the 100 free at UC San Diego (52.86).
High School/Club
Earned four varsity letters in swimming at Greenhill High School…Swam club with the Dallas Mustangs… Earned all-SPC honors all four years of high school… was a USA Scholastic All-American…was a 2024 SPC 4A champion… Holds eight records at Greenhill HS and three SPC records… With the Dallas Mustangs, was named All-Around Swimmer four times.
Personal
Full Name: Josephine Arbuckle… Parents are Justin and Julie Arbuckle… Decided to attend UCLA because of “the incredible combination of academics and athletics and the welcoming team culture”... greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill was winning her high school championship as the anchor on the final relay of the meet…Admires Tom Brady, Serena Williams, and Sha’carri Richardson… Hobbies include cooking, baking, reading, and writing… Mom played water polo at UC Berkeley and attended UCLA law school.
2024-25
Grace Dougherty
5-3 / Sophomore Freestyle/Backstroke
Carmel, Ind
Carmel HS
Appeared in six regular season events ... Recorded season-best times of 23.58 in the 50 free, 51.53 in the 100 free, 1:51.78 in the 200 free, and 56.21 in the 100 back at the UNLV Invite ... Contributed to a 200 free relay team that earned third place and recorded a time of 1:36.13 at Cal.
High School/Club
Earned four varsity letters at Carmel High School, 38x IHSAA State Champions, which is the longest streak in the nation… Swam club at Carmel Swim Club… Earned All-American honors three times in high school… National High School Record Holder in the 4x50 Freestyle… Captain of Carmel High School Swim and Dive… With Carmel swim club, qualified for summer and winter junior nationals… 3x Carmel Swim Club Outstanding Teammate Award… Participated in training camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Personal
Full Name: Grace Dougherty.. Parents are Joe and Beth Dougherty… Decided to attend UCLA because of the “team atmosphere and the culture around UCLA”... greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill was breaking the National High School record in the 4x50 Freestyle relay with Carmel Women’s Swim and Dive… Admires Roger Federer and Serena Williams… Hobbies include drawing, listening to music, and walking.
Virginia Tiberti
5-5 / Sophomore Diving
Rome, Italy.
M.R Sport Fratelli Marconi
2024-25
Anna Wetteland
5-9 / Sophomore Freestyle/Butterfly
Los Alamos
Los Alamos HS
Competed in eight regular season meets ... Recorded season-best times of 23.57 in the 50 free, 56.37 in the 100 fly, and 1:50.74 in the 200 free at the UNLV Invite ... Recorded a season-best time of 51.03 in the 100 free at Cal ... Contributed to 25 relay teams throughout the season, anchoring 13.
High School/Club
Earned four varsity letters in swimming at Los Alamos High School… Also earned varsity letters in Track & Field and Cross Country… three-time High School All-American… two-time Scholastic All-American… Three-time State Champion in the 100 Butterfly… Two-time State Champion in the 50 Freestyle… State Champion in the 200 Freestyle… Was named team captain for two years in high school.
Personal
Full Name: Anna Wetteland… Parents are Chris and Jen Wetteland…Decided to attend UCLA because “the UCLA team has the most infectious energy, and the culture here is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced”... greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill was participating in relays, especially the 4x100 freestyle relay… Admires Sydney McLaughlin and Jason Lezak… Hobbies include crafting, dancing, and running… Sister Kelly is a triathlete at the University of Arizona.
2024-25
Abi Winnicki
6-0 / Sophomore Freestyle/Backstroke
Rhinelander, Wisc
Rhinelander HS
Competed in seven regular season meets ... Recorded season-best times of 56.24 in the 100 free and 1:57.05 in the 200 free at the Fresno State Invite ... Recorded season-best times of 5:00.83 in the 500 free and 10:19.19 in the 1000 free at USC ... Swam on eight relays throughout the season.
High School/Club
Earned four varsity letters at Rhinelander High School… Swam Club at Woodson Y Northern Swimmers… 2020 and 2023 WIAA D2 State Champion… nine-time Rhinelander HS individual record holder… seven-time Rhinelander HS relay record holder… Participated in the 2023 North American Indigenous Games with Team Wisconsin.
Personal
Full Name: Abishea Elyse Winnicki… Parents are Marna and Ken Winnicki… Decided to attend UCLA because it “has a perfect balance of academics and athletics at a high level”... greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill was committing to UCLA… Admires Ali Truwitt and Gretchen Walsh… Hobbies include hanging out with friends, doing her nails, and tanning… Related to Colin Fields on the Detroit Tigers.
Career Accolades
2025 All-Freshman Big Ten Team
2024-25
Claudia Yovanovich
5-7 / Sophomore Freestyle/Backstroke
Seattle, Wash. Ballard HS
Competed in eight regular season meets as well as the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships ... Anchored the 200 free relay team that broke the school record and finished in a time of 1:28.85 at the Big Ten Championships ... At the NCAA Championships, anchored the 200 free relay that finished in 27th place with a time of 1:29.31 and swam on the 400 free relay that finished in 27th place with a time of 3:16.39 ... At the Big Ten Championships, competed in the 100 back, finishing in 19th place with a time of 53.33, the third fastest time on the team in the season ...Named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team at the conclusion of the meet ... Recorded a season-best time of 23.08 in the 50 free at the Ohio State Invite ... Recorded a season-best time of 56.21 in the 100 free at the Fresno State Invite ... Swam on 19 relay teams throughout the regular and post season.
High School/Club
Earned four varsity letters in swimming at Ballard High School… Swam Club at Seattle Metropolitan Swim Club… Two-time Metro League Championship in the 50 Freestyle… Two time Sea King district champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle…2023 50 freestyle state champion… Two-time Scholastic All-American… Summer Junior national and 18 and under US Open qualifier.
Personal
Full Name: Claudia Yovanovich… Parents are Jennifer and Jay Yovanovich.. Decided to attend UCLA because “it not only has such an amazing opportunity to learn but provided a sense of belonging on the team from the second I visited”... greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill was committing to UCLA… Admires Regan Smith… Hobbies include reading books and hiking with family and friends.
200-Yard Free Relay J. Vogt, K. Stoudt, C. Richardson, S. Suhadolnik 1:33.66
200-Yard Medley Relay K. Heydanek, C. Richardson, K. Stoudt, S. Suhadolnik 1:43.45 Platform Diving Malia Lasley
1990 100-Yard Freestyle Kristin Stoudt
400-Yard Freestyle Relay J. Gibbons, M. Herndon, C. Richardson, K. Stoudt 3:23.29
1989 50-Yard Freestyle Jenny Susser 23.46 800-Yard Freestyle Relay K. Stoudt, J. Susser, M. Herndon, S. Smith 7:21.13
One-Meter Diving Karla Goltman 458.00
1988 200-Yard Butterfly Micki Ward 2:00.17
AIAW / NCAA Individual Champions
Backstroke Tauna Vandeweghe
200-Yard Freestyle Relay K. Worthen, S. Worthen, T. Vandeweghe, S. Houghton 1:35.62 200-Yard Medley Relay S. Houghton, T. Vandeweghe, K. Melick, K. Worthen
Kirschke 1:57.69 2021 6. Anna Senko 1:58.07 2012 T7. Sam Baron 1:58.21 2022
Paige MacEachern 4:06.17 2023
Schanz 4:09.52 2017
Ella Kirschke 4:11.53 2020
Noelle Tarazona 4:11.72 2013
Arlyn Upshaw 4:12.04 2015
Rosie Murphy 4:12.10 2023
8. Abriana Howard 1:55.57 2021 200-Yard Individual Medley 1. Emma Schanz 1:56.06 2018
Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center has served as the home for UCLA swimming and diving since 2009.
Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center
The Spieker Aquatics Center brings together all three of UCLA’s intercollegiate aquatics sports - men’s and women’s water polo, and women’s swimming and diving - to one venue. The state-of-the-art facility was made possible thanks to a generous lead gift from former UCLA studentathlete Tod Spieker and his wife, Catherine. Tod was an All-America swimmer at UCLA, competing from 19681971, and continues to successfully compete in Master’s Swimming.
The UCLA Athletics Department unveiled the Spieker Aquatics Center on Sept. 26, 2009, when the Bruin men’s water polo team hosted UC Irvine under the lights. Prior to that evening’s water polo match, the Athletics Department hosted a private reception at the new, state-of-the-art facility. In addition, Spieker Aquatics Center served as host to the 2010 MPSF Women’s Water Polo Tournament, marking the first time that UCLA had hosted a water polo tournament.
The Bruins’ aquatics center is the home to UCLA’s men’s and women’s water polo, and swimming and diving teams. The facility features a 52-meter by 25-yard all-deep water pool with a dividing bulkhead, allowing races to take place at varying distances (meters versus yards). The pool also features four platforms on a diving tower, at heights of three, five, seven and one-half, and 10-meter platforms, as well as one and three-meter springboards. The aquatics center also features a warming pool behind the tower for divers.
The main pool, Dirks Pool, is named after Carolyn Dirks, who provided the lead gift for the swimming pool. Dirks Pool will also be used for special use events and Masters Swim meets. The signature feature of the Spieker Aquatics Center is the diving tower, which sits at the pool’s west end. The east end houses the new scoreboard, an LED, state-ofthe-art piece of electronics that makes scores and statistics
Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center Records
easily visible to all in attendance.
Next to the scoreboard is the “Wall of Champions”, showcasing UCLA’s water polo, and swimming and diving national championship teams, as well as all individual student-athletes’ achievements, record holders and Olympians.
Separate men’s and women’s locker rooms house enough lockers for all team members. Equipment needed for meets and matches have storage capacity on the facility’s south side. The aquatics center features event
and
with the possibility of additional
seating for larger events.
There is no charge for admission to home UCLA swimming and diving events. The Spieker Aquatics Center is located on the UCLA campus on De Neve Drive between Charles E. Young Drive North and Bellagio Way. From the 405 Freeway, exit Sunset and head east. Turn right on Westwood Plaza and then right on Charles E. Young Drive. Next, turn right onto De Neve Drive and the Recreation Center parking lot will be on your left side, just past the Spieker Aquatics Center.
• Won the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200 Butterfly
• Named a Rhodes Scholar in December of 1996, becoming the eighth UCLA student to be named a Rhodes Scholar and the first since 1973
• First-ever UCLA women’s swimmer to win an NCAA individual event (200 Butterfly in 1996)
• NCAA Today’s Top-Eight award recipient
• NCAA Post-Graduate Scholar
• Four-Year Academic All-American
• Four-Year All-American
• NCAA Woman of the Year Finalist
• 1996 UCLA Female Athlete of the Year
• 1996 Pac-10 Champion (100 and 200 Butterfly)
Bruins in the Olympics
Women’s Olympians
Name
Gizem Guvenc
Country (Yr.)
Turkey (2024)
Emma Harvey Bermuda (2024)
Katrina Bellio Canada (2020)
Beril Bocekler Turkey (2020)
Eden Cheng Great Britain (2020)
Maria Polyakova Russian Olympic Committee (2020)
Ting Wen Quah Singapore (2008, 2016, 2020)
Nicolette Teo Singapore (2000, 2004, 2008)
Kim Vandenberg USA (2008)
Amanda Beard (Team Bruin) USA (2008)
Malin Svahnstrom Sweden (2000, 2004)
Mariyln Chua Malaysia (2000)
Elvira Fischer Austria (1996, 2000)
Annette Salmeen USA (1996)
Julia Voitovitsch Germany (1996)
Karla Goltman Argentina (1992)
Erika Hansen USA (1988, 1992)
Suzanne Nilsson Sweden (1984, 1988)
Sofia Kraft Sweden (1984)
Maureen New Canada (1984)
Shirley Babashoff USA (1972, 1976)
Jenny Chandler USA (1976) USA (1976) USA (1976) USA (1972, 1976) USA (1976) USA (1976) USA (1972) USA (1972) USA (1968) USA (1964, 1968) USA (1960, 1964)
Men’s Olympians
Name
Country (Yr.)
Dan O’Keefe Guam (2000, 2004)
Dan Kutler Israel (1996)
Andrea Cecchi Italy (1992)
Rudi Dollmayer Sweden (1992)
Rodrigo Gonzalez Mexico (1988, 1992)
Tom Jager USA (1984, 1988, 1992)
Matjaz Kozelj Slovenia (1992)
Giovanni Minervini Italy (1988, 1992)
Franz Mortensen Denmark (1984, 1988, 1992)
Darren Ward Canada (1988, 1992)
Roberto Cassio Italy (1988)
Mark Dean USA (1988)
Elias Malamas Greece (1984, 1988)
Craig Oppel USA (1988)
Peter Rohde Denmark (1984, 1988)
Ralf Diegel Germany (1984)
Juan Enrique Escalas Spain (1984)
Rafael Escalas Spain (1980*, 1984)
Jean-Marie Francois Venezuela (1980*, 1984)
Bruce Hayes USA (1984)
Robin Leamy USA (1984)
Stephen Barnicoat USA (1980*)
Bill Barrett USA (1980*)
Brian Goodell USA (1976, 1980)
Nir Shamir Israel (1980)
Clay Evans Canada (1976)
Chris Woo USA (1976)
Paul Becskehazy Brazil (1972)
Tom Bruce USA (1972)
Mike Burton USA (1968, 1972)
Steven Genter USA (1972)
Zac Zorn USA (1968)
Monte Nitzkowski USA (1952)
Annette Salmeen
Donna de Varona
Nicolette Teo
UCLA’s Primary Media Outlets
Newspapers
Los Angeles Times
202 West First St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
(p)213-237-7145
(f)213-237-7876 latimes.com
Orange County Register
625 N. Grand Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92711
(p)714-796-7817
(f)714-565-6765 ocregister.com
Los Angeles Daily News
21860 Burbank Blvd., Ste. 200 Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(p)818-713-3600
(f)818-713-3436 dailynews.com
Riverside Press-Enterprise 3450 14th St. Riverside, CA 92501
(p)951-368-9533 (f)951-368-9029 pe.com
Long Beach Press-Telegram
604 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90844
(p)562-499-1338 (f)562-437-8914 ptconnect.com
Ventura County Star
550 Camarillo Center Dr. Camarillo, CA 93010
(p)805-437-0277
(f)805-482-6167 venturacountystar.com
UCLA Daily Bruin
308 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90095
(p)310-825-2095
(f)310-206-0906 dailybruin.com
National Newspapers
Associated Press
221 So. Figueroa, Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (p)213-626-1200 (f)213-346-0200 ap.org
USA Today 10866 Wilshire Blvd. #890 Los Angeles, CA 90024 (p)310-882-2400 (f)310-882-1901 usatoday.com
Television Stations
CBS2 (Ch. 2)/KCAL (Ch. 9) 4200 Radford Ave. Studio City, CA 91604 (p)818-655-2400
NBC4 (Ch. 4) 3000 W. Alameda Ave. Burbank, CA 91523 (p)818-840-4237 (f)818-840-3076
KABC (Ch. 7) 500 Circle Seven Dr. Glendale, CA 91201 (p)818-863-7677 (f)818-863-7889
KTLA (Ch. 5)
5800 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 (p)323-460-5907 (f)323-460-5333
KTTV (Ch. 11)/KCOP (Ch. 13)
1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90025 (p)310-584-2030 (f)310-584-2450
Press Credentials
Media and photography credentials for UCLA home meets may be obtained by working press only by writing or calling Andrew Wagner at the UCLA Athletic Communications Office, PO Box 24044, Los Angeles, CA 90024, (310) 206-4008, awagner@athletics.ucla.edu. All requests should be submitted at least 24 hours in advance. Press and photo credentials can be picked up at the lower entrance of Spieker Aquatics Center.
Photography
Television and photo credentials entitle video and still photographers to shoot from the upper stands of Spieker Aquatics Center. Please consult with sports information staff to find out where the photography areas are. Flash photography is strictly forbidden.
Interview Policies
All interviews must be arranged by the Athletic Communications Office. Athletes have been instructed not to grant any interview, in person or by telephone, not arranged by the Athletic Communications Office. Telephone numbers are private and will not be released. Please do not expect team members to be available if you have not made prior arrangements.
Interview Availability
The UCLA team is scheduled to practice at Spieker Aquatics Center. Athletes and coaches are available before or after practice, depending on class schedules.
Travel Information
For security purposes, the UCLA Athletic Communications Office does not release to the general public any travel information for UCLA athletic teams. If you would like to reach a member of the UCLA swim team on the road, please contact the Athletic Communications Office.
Obtaining Information
UCLA swimming and diving news, results, statistics, biographies, and more can be found at uclabruins.com.
Spieker Aquatics Center
The Spieker Aquatics Center is located on the UCLA campus on De Neve Drive between Charles E. Young Drive North and Bellagio Way. From the 405 Freeway, exit Sunset and head east. Turn right on Westwood Plaza and then right on Charles E. Young Drive. Next, turn right onto De Neve Drive and the Recreation Center parking lot will be on your left side, just past the Spieker Aquatics Center.
Martin Jarmond Director of Athletics
4th year
UNC-Wilmington, ‘01
Martin Jarmond, a nationally recognized leader in college athletics, has built an impressive track record of competitive excellence, innovative strategy and student athlete success.
A two-time recipient of Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award with 20 years in sports administration spanning three conferences, Jarmond has guided UCLA to new heights through his culture of an E.L.I.T.E. mindset – Energy, Leadership, Integrity, Toughness and Excellence. Jarmond’s results-driven strategies combined with a relentless work ethic to elevate UCLA Athletics has helped to create an exceptional experience for student-athletes and fans alike. Over Jarmond’s first three years in Westwood, UCLA has won three NCAA championships in the sports of men’s water polo (2020), women’s soccer (2022) and men’s volleyball (2023). In June of 2022, Jarmond worked closely with campus leadership while playing a critical role in UCLA Athletics applying and being accepted for future membership in the Big Ten Conference. One of the most important announcements in the history of UCLA Athletics, the Bruins will join the Big Ten Conference in 2024. Jarmond was hired on May 19, 2020, as UCLA’s Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics, becoming the ninth athletic director in school history. He made an immediate impact on the Bruins, jumpstarting the Voting Matters Initiative, the first of its kind in the country which assisted student-athletes in discovering the tools needed to exact meaningful change through civic duty. Jarmond engineered a partnership between UCLA and Nike/ Jordan Brand, becoming only the fifth Jordan brand school in the nation and the first partnership with Nike in UCLA history. The six-year agreement between UCLA and Nike provides for 22 of the 25 UCLA varsity sports with Nike apparel, while football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball don Jordan Brand. Jarmond exhibits a strong commitment to mental health awareness and his emphasis on diversity and inclusion was recognized in a 2021 SBJ award for being a national leader in diversity and inclusive hiring. He was the Pac-12 Conference representative to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee for 2021-22. Through Jarmond’s instrumental leadership, UCLA has positioned itself at the forefront of a rapidly-changing collegiate athletics landscape. In the burgeoning area of Name, Image and Likeness, Jarmond and UCLA Athletics launched the “Westwood Ascent,” which is a comprehensive NIL program that supports UCLA’s student-athletes, helping them build their personal brands and maximize their NIL opportunities. In addition, the “Westwood Exchange” was established as a free business registry designed for companies, donors, fans and alumni that want to connect with UCLA’s student-athletes interested in capitalizing on their NIL.
Extensive work by Jarmond and his staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic ensured that all Bruin teams could compete safely during the 2020-21 academic year. UCLA’s athletic teams won four conference titles that year and the men’s water polo program won its 12th national championship in the spring of 2021. The men’s basketball team embarked on a remarkable journey, advancing from the First Four to the 2021 NCAA Final Four, UCLA’s first national semifinal appearance since 2008. These athletic achievements were balanced by record numbers of student-athletes earning spots on the conference all-academic squads, with 49 individuals earning a perfect 4.0 GPA for the Winter Quarter, and 131 student-athletes earning their UCLA degrees. For the first time ever, the Bruins produced multiple winners of the NCAA Elite 90 Award. Four student-athletes were recognized by CoSIDA as Academic All-Americans.
Jarmond came to UCLA from Boston College, where he served as the school’s Director of Athletics for three years. During his time there, he orchestrated the Eagles’ first-ever strategic plan, a comprehensive five-year goal to advance the program by fostering student-athlete formation, strengthening competitive excellence, increasing external engagement and enhancing facilities. The strategic plan was supported by BC’s first-ever athletics-only capital campaign, at the time, the largest campaign of any Atlantic Coast Conference institution at $150 million. Jarmond hired high-impact coaches in football, women’s basketball, softball, volleyball, swimming & diving, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and fencing. Jarmond served on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee and on the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Boston College in 2017 and becoming the youngest athletic director of any Power Five institution at age 37, Jarmond previously served as deputy director of athletics at Ohio State, moving up the ranks after arriving as an associate athletic director for development in 2009. During his time at Ohio State, he was the lead administrator for a variety of sports, including football and men’s basketball, and directed external and internal relations and day-today operations. He also had responsibility for football scheduling, served on the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Committee, and was a member of the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship Advisory Group and the Rose Bowl Advisory Committee. As Ohio State Athletics’ chief advancement officer, Jarmond helped raise more than $120 million between 2010-2012. Jarmond was also an assistant athletic director for development for seven years at Michigan State, where he served on the athletic director’s executive leadership team. He was a key member of the $1.2 billion “Campaign for MSU” development team and a liaison between Michigan State’s university development and alumni association leadership. Jarmond led the efforts to implement Scholarship Seating in football and Courtside seating in men’s basketball.
A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Jarmond, 42, earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. A two-year captain of the men’s basketball team, he led his team to the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2000 and earned Colonial Athletic Association All-Academic honors in 2001. He holds both a M.B.A. and a master’s in sports administration from Ohio University. Jarmond is married to Dr. Jessica Jarmond, a dentist. They have three daughters: Scarlett, Savannah and Serena.
Gavin Crew
Associate Athletic Director 8th Year UCLA ‘99
Gavin Crew was named Associate Athletic Director for Sports and Administration in April 2016. He has spent over a decade with the Bruins, from 2001-2005 and 2008-present.
Crew oversees seven sports in his role - men’s soccer, men’s volleyball, women’s swimming & diving, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, men’s track & field (indoor and outdoor) and women’s track & field (indoor and outdoor). Additionally, he supervises the Camps & Clinics office.
In his first stint in the UCLA Athletics Department, he oversaw the expansion of the Camps & Clinics office to a year-round business operation, managing the growing demand for athletic camp operations in Westwood. From 2005-2008, Crew worked with Excel Sports Officiating to help train and work with officials, umpires and referees in all sports and at all levels. Upon his return to UCLA in 2008, Crew once again oversaw the camp office and added championship coordinator to his plate. In addition to continuing the growth of the camp operation into a $3 million revenue generator for the Athletic Department, he has also executed several major NCAA, Pac-12 and MPSF Championships on campus, including the 2013 NCAA National Collegiate Gymnastics Championship, 2013 NCAA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship, 2015 Pac-12 Track & Field Championship, 2014 and 2016 NCAA Women’s Basketball 1st/2nd Rounds, 2015 NCAA National Collegiate Men’s Water Polo Championships, and the 2016 NCAA National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo Championships.
Crew graduated with a degree in Political Science from UCLA in 1999.
Originally from Irvine, Calif., Crew lives in the Silver Lake neighborhood with his wife, Cassidy.
